Abstract: A hybrid cloud-based media production system includes a facility extension platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to identify multicast production media flow(s) for processing in a cloud-based virtual production environment, to identify cloud-based resource(s) for processing one or more cloud production media flow(s) corresponding to the multicast production media flow(s), in the cloud-based virtual production environment, and to coordinate provisioning of the cloud-based virtual production environment with the identified cloud-based resource(s). The hardware processor also executes the software code to align, using a cloud permissible timing protocol, the timing of the cloud production media flow(s) in the cloud-based virtual production environment, and to process the cloud production media flow(s) in the cloud-based virtual production environment using the identified cloud-based resource(s).

Abstract: A hybrid cloud-based media production system includes a facility extension platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to identify multicast production media flow(s) for processing in a cloud-based virtual production environment, to identify cloud-based resource(s) for processing one or more cloud production media flow(s) corresponding to the multicast production media flow(s), in the cloud-based virtual production environment, and to coordinate provisioning of the cloud-based virtual production environment with the identified cloud-based resource(s). The hardware processor also executes the software code to align, using a cloud permissible timing protocol, the timing of the cloud production media flow(s) in the cloud-based virtual production environment, and to process the cloud production media flow(s) in the cloud-based virtual production environment using the identified cloud-based resource(s).

Abstract: A software system for managing available to promise and making promises to fulfill customer requests is provided. The software system includes a supply chain model representing a chain of supply. The supply chain model includes site models that represent sites having capacity and that manage material flow. The supply chain model also includes seller models that represent sellers and that manage forecasting and purchasing. Commitments between sites is modeled by requests and promises, and the sellers can post requests on behalf of sites in anticipation of future requests from the sites.

Abstract: A product design method includes accessing a defined product design structure. The product design structure includes a number of customer concerns, a number of physical properties associated with components of the product, and a number of relation models. Each customer concern is associated with at least one physical property via at least one mathematical relationship defined in at least one of the relation models. The method also includes receiving a value associated with one or more of the physical properties and calculating (using one or more of the relation models) the effect of the received value associated with the one or more physical properties on one or more of the customer concerns. Furthermore, the method includes displaying the calculated effect on the one or more customer concerns and receiving one or more adjustments of the value associated with one or more of the physical properties to create a desired effect on one or more of the customer concerns.

Abstract: A product design method includes accessing a defined product design structure. The product design structure includes a number of customer concerns, a number of physical properties associated with components of the product, and a number of relation models. Each customer concern is associated with at least one physical property via at least one mathematical relationship defined in at least one of the relation models. The method also includes receiving a value associated with one or more of the physical properties and calculating (using one or more of the relation models) the effect of the received value associated with the one or more physical properties on one or more of the customer concerns. Furthermore, the method includes displaying the calculated effect on the one or more customer concerns and receiving one or more adjustments of the value associated with one or more of the physical properties to create a desired effect on one or more of the customer concerns.

Abstract: A software system is provided for managing available to promise (ATP) and making promises to fulfill customer requests. The software system includes a plurality of generic product models (600) each representing a generic product. Each generic product model (600) specifies one component of a plurality of possible components. A plurality of specific product models (602) each represent a specific product and each specify all components of the specific product. Each component specified by each specific product model (602) is specified by one of the generic product models (600) such that each specific product model (602) is related to a subset of the generic product models (600). A customer request matching a specific product then can be fulfilled by available-to-promise of the specific product or by available-to-promise of all related generic products. In addition, an organization in a seller hierarchy can retain product and designate first-come-first-served product.

Abstract: A fulfillment server (16) for managing ATP data in a distributed supply chain planning environment receives an ATP request (30) from one of multiple clients (12). The ATP request (30) includes multiple request line-items that each correspond to a desired product. The fulfillment server (16) then generates one or more component ATP requests (32) based on the request line-items and communicates component ATP requests (32) to at least one of multiple local fulfillment managers (14). In response, the fulfillment server (16) receives component quotations (34) from the local fulfillment managers (14), each corresponding to a component ATP request (32) and each including product availability information for the corresponding desired product. The fulfillment server (16) generates a quotation (36) that includes product availability information for all desired products, according to the component quotations (34), and communicates the quotation (36) to the client (12).

Abstract: A system and method for searching a problem space. In an exemplary application, the search constructs a plan associated with a business enterprise and the problem space is a model of the enterprise. The search is divided into subsearches. Each subsearch is performed by a subsearch process having its own goal data, termination data, problem data, problem selection process, move process, and script. The script of a subsearch determines whether the current state of the search shall be advanced by a move of that subsearch or by another subsearch.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically managing available to promise product and making of promises to fulfill customer requests from the available to promise product. The system includes a data storage device that stores at least one seller model which represents a seller entity that is selling at least one product. The system also includes an execution memory operable to hold a software system, and a processor operable to execute the software system. When executed, the software system operates to use the at least one seller model to represent a forecast for the number of the at least one product that is expected to be sold by the seller and to define commitment levels with respect to the forecast in order to create forecast requests for the at least one product. The software system then provides the forecast requests to supplier sites and receives responsive promises made by the supplier sites to fill the forecast requests.

Abstract: A software system is provided for managing available to promise (ATP) and making promises to fulfill customer requests. The software system includes a plurality of generic product models (600) each representing a generic product. Each generic product model (600) specifies one component of a plurality of possible components. A plurality of specific product models (602) each represent a specific product and each specify all components of the specific product. Each component specified by each specific product model (602) is specified by one of the generic product models (600) such that each specific product model (602) is related to a subset of the generic product models (600). A customer request matching a specific product then can be fulfilled by available-to-promise of the specific product or by available-to-promise of all related generic products. In addition, an organization in a seller hierarchy can retain product and designate first-come-first-served product.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and process are provided for negotiation and tracking of sale of goods. In this system and process, a negotiation engine (16) operates to store data representing a current state (18) of a negotiation between a seller and buyer. The negotiation engine (16) stores the data within a framework for representing aspects of the negotiation between the seller and buyer. The framework includes a request object, a promise object and an acceptance object that can store a current description of a contract. The framework also includes a set of one or more delivery deals determined by the contract. Each delivery deal can have a delivery request object, a delivery promise object, and a delivery acceptance object that can store associated item deals and time periods for delivery of item deals. Each item deal can have an item request object, an item promise object and an item acceptance object that can store individual sales-order line-items.

Abstract: A computer implemented planning system and process are disclosed that providing mechanism for grouping and prioritizing consumer objects based on multiple criteria. The manufacturing of a product is planned using an object model that includes buffer objects. The buffer objects include a grouped flow policy field that specifies a grouping for consumer objects based upon criteria of the consumer objects. In one implementation, a bucketed nested sort flow policy, that is a subclass of the grouped flow policy, is used to specify grouping further based upon start dates. In a further implementation, a bucketed combined sort flow policy, that is a subclass of the bucketed nested sort flow policy, is used to specify grouping further based upon aggregations of criteria values.

Abstract: A planning coordination system (30) and method are provided that automatically coordinate a planning system (32) associated with a first factory (28) with separate planning systems (16, 24, 40) of a plurality of factories (12, 20, 36) in a manufacturing chain. The planning coordination system (30) communicates with the planning system (32) of the first factory (28) and communicates with separate planning coordination systems (14, 38) of the other factories (12, 36) with which the first factory (28) has demand and supply part relationships. The planning coordination system (30) receives and processes demands and responses communicated by the planning coordination systems (14, 38) of the other factories (12, 36). The planning coordination system (30) provides planning information to the planning system (32) of the first factory (28) and obtains information about products to be produced and parts needed from an output plan (34) of that planning system (32).

Abstract: A system is provided for optimizing a network plan. The system includes a memory which stores information specifying a network plan, a plurality of constraints, and a plurality of interaction coefficients. Each interaction coefficient corresponds to particular constraint. A processor is coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to determine whether the network plan violates any of the constraints, modify the network plan in order to resolve a violation of any constraint, and update a corresponding interaction coefficient in order to reflect an impact upon the network plan caused by the resolution of a violation.

Abstract: A computer software system (10) is provided. The computer software system (10) includes a compiler (12) operable to receive a worksheet definition (20) and to access a plurality of model interface functions (16). The worksheet definition (20) is named and parameterized and comprises a plurality of cell definitions (24) each defining a model-independent expression (26). The compiler (12) is further operable to generate a worksheet template (32) comprising a plurality of cell templates (36) each defining a model-dependent expression (38). An evaluator (40) is operable to receive the worksheet template (32) and a parameter expression. The evaluator (40) is further operable to access the plurality of model interface functions (16) and a user model (60). The evaluator (40) is operable to evaluate the model-dependent expressions (38) in the worksheet template (32) and is operable to generate a worksheet instance (48) containing a plurality of cell instances (52) defining model-specific values (54).

Abstract: A computer software system for modeling a process capability on a computer is provided. The computer software system comprises an operation model type for defining a plurality of operation models (33, 36, 44, 52 and 57). Each operation model represents an activity that can be performed by a process. A resource model type is for defining a plurality of resource models (32, 38, 40, 46, 48, 54, 56 and 58). Each resource model represents capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity. A buffer model type is for defining a plurality of buffer models (34, 42, 50, and 60). Each buffer model represents rules for controlling a flow of material between activities. The operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each comprise a plurality of fields defining attributes that include a plurality of extension selector fields. Defined operation models, buffer models, and resource models are stored as nodes in an interrelated process network model.

Abstract: A strategy driven planning system (10) is provided that includes a plan (14) defining a scheduled operation of a user environment. An environment (16) defines behavior and constraints of the user environment. A plurality of strategies (20) each defining a plan domain (22), problem selection criteria (24), plan optimality criteria (28), and termination criteria (32). A planning engine (12) is coupled to the plan (14), the plurality of constraints (16) and the plurality of strategies (20). The planning engine (12) is operable to identify a plurality of problems (18) by comparing the plan (14) to the behavior and constraints defined by the environment (16) and is operable to adjust the plan (14) according to a selected strategy. A user interface (28) is coupled to the planning engine (12). The user interface (28) is operable to allow a user to interact with the planning engine (12) in order to adjust the plan (14) and the environment (16) and to select and initiate execution of a selected strategy.

Abstract: A computer software system is provided. The computer software system includes a compiler operable to receive a worksheet definition and to access a plurality of model interface functions. The worksheet definition is named and parameterized and comprises a plurality of cell definitions each defining a model-independent expression. The compiler is further operable to generate a worksheet template comprising a plurality of cell templates each defining a model-dependent expression. An evaluator is operable to receive the worksheet template. The evaluator is further operable to access the plurality of model interface functions and a user model. The evaluator is operable to evaluate the model-dependent expressions in the worksheet template and is operable to generate a worksheet instance containing a plurality of cell instances defining model-specific values (54).

Abstract: A computer software system for modeling a process capability on a computer is provided. The computer software system comprises an operation model type for defining a plurality of operation models (33, 36, 44, 52 and 57). Each operation model represents an activity that can be performed by a process. A resource model type is for defining a plurality of resource models (32, 38, 40, 46, 48, 54, 56 and 58). Each resource model represents capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity. A buffer model type is for defining a plurality of buffer models (34, 42, 50, and 60). Each buffer model represents rules for controlling a flow of material between activities. The operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each comprise a plurality of fields defining attributes that include a plurality of extension selector fields. Defined operation models, buffer models, and resource models are stored as nodes in an interrelated process network model.

Abstract: A cable TV distribution system in which an AC power signal is generated according to the following steps: (a) generating an AC power signal having at least a positive half-cycle, where the positive half-cycle comprises a rising portion, a falling portion, and a central portion; and (b) limiting the slew rate of the AC power signal within the rising portion to a range of 30 V/ms and 50 V/ms inclusive. Preferably, the slew rate of the AC power signal within the falling portion is limited to the range of -30 V/ms and -50 V/ms inclusive.